Marrakech ➝ Ouarzazate & Aït Ben Haddou :

🚘 Distance: ~230 km | ⏱️ Duration: ~4 hours (with stops)

Start your adventure at 7:30 AM from Marrakech, heading south across the majestic High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m). This winding mountain road offers breathtaking panoramas, with stops for photos of Berber villages perched on hillsides and the rugged beauty of the Atlas peaks.
On the way, stop at a cooperative producing Argan oil, where you’ll discover the traditional process and unique uses of this Moroccan treasure. Continue through scenic landscapes of red canyons, palm groves, and kasbahs before reaching your first highlight.
🏰 Aït Ben Haddou (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Arrive at the legendary Ksar Aït Ben Haddou, one of Morocco’s most iconic fortified villages. Explore its maze of earthen alleyways, climb to the top for panoramic views of the Ounila Valley, and learn about its fascinating history as a caravan stop on the ancient trade route between Marrakech and the Sahara.
🎬 Film lovers will recognize it as a backdrop for movies and series such as Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Kingdom of Heaven, and more.
🍴 Lunch : Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the kasbah, where you can taste delicious Moroccan dishes such as tajines, couscous, or grilled meats.
After lunch, continue to Ouarzazate, nicknamed the “OuarzaWood”:
🎬 Atlas Studios – visit one of the world’s largest film studios, where famous productions were shot.
🏯 Taourirt Kasbah – explore this 19th-century kasbah that once belonged to the Glaoui family, with intricate Moroccan architecture.
🌴 Ouarzazate city tour – stroll around the palm-filled oasis and discover the laid-back charm of this desert gateway.
In the late afternoon, begin your return journey through the Atlas Mountains. Arrive back in Marrakech around 6:00 – 6:30 PM, enriched with memories of Morocco’s cinematic landscapes, kasbahs, and desert atmosphere. 💡 This Ouarzazate & Aït Ben Haddou day trip from Marrakech combines history, architecture, and film culture, making it one of the most unforgettable excursions in Morocco.